4 - L Is for Look

Jul 6, 2026 – Oct 4, 2026

L is for Look presents a study of the children’s photobook, from its production and growth as a publishing phenomenon in the 1930s to the present day. Although the production of such photobooks remains a minor feature in the editorial landscape, it gives an account of the development of our perception of the medium, the history of pedagogy, and the status of children in Western societies for more than a century. When new image-based educational methods emerged, photography began to be incorporated into all types of children’s literature, from picture books to fiction, including publications designed for pedagogic or educational purposes. While photographers have helped to reinvigorate the genre, they have also broadened their practice by collaborating with graphic designers, artists, illustrators and authors to explore new forms and uses. The exhibition focuses on a body of nearly a hundred international works, highlighting original creative uses of photography, with the idea of not only showcasing its heritage and characteristic features, but also examining its contemporary manifestations. Women photographers play a key role in this publishing genre, which brings together two areas traditionally believed to be feminine: education and child portraiture, culminating in the creation of a specific genre in the 1970s that is involved in shaping the gaze of young readers. L is for Look displays the creative process of a photobook, from the initial camera shots to the original mock-ups of the selected books. The exhibition—with the matter of cultural outreach in mind—features books available for consultation as well as interactive experiences for children and adults. Enzo Arnone (1945), Horst Beseler (1925-2020), Aenne Biermann (1898-1933), Adam Broomberg (1970), Balthasar Burkhard (1944-2010), Karel Čapek (1890-1938), Olivier Chanarin (1971), Donald Crews (1938), Dominique Darbois (1925-2014), Robert Doisneau (1912-1994), Tana Hoban (1917-2006), Eikō Hosoe (1933-2024), Markus Jacob (1954), Suzy Lee (1974), Betty Jean Lifton (1926-2010), Reinhard Matz (1952), Ann McGovern (1930-2015), Roger Mello (1965), Annette Messager (1943), Harry Milgrom, Sarah Moon (1941), Stefan Moses (1928-2018), Bruno Munari (1907‑1998), Elisabeth Niggemeyer (1930-2025), Jules Ober (1962), Pierre‑Jacques Ober (1958), Alexis Peiry (1905-1968), Suzi Pilet (1916-2017), Edith Rimkus (1926‑2016), Alexander Rodtchenko (1891-1956), Zofia Rydet (1911-1997), Catarina Sobral (1985), Edward Steichen (1879-1973), Mary Steichen [Calderone] (1904-1998), Varvara Stepanova (1894-1958), Emmanuel Sougez (1889-1972), Serge Tretiakov (1892‑1937), Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019), William Wegman (1943), William Wondriska (1931-2016), Hope Wurmfeld (1934), Ylla (Camilla Koffler, dite) (1911-1955)